WASHINGTON, DC – Two bills to extend protection for Nevada’s public lands were heard yesterday by the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto – D-NV – sponsored the Ruby Mountains Protection Act, and co-sponsored the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act with Senator Jacky Rosen – D-NV.

Russell Kulhman, executive director of the Nevada Wildlife Federation, said the Ruby Mountains region is the crown jewel of Nevada’s public lands.

“It is also home to the largest herd of mule deer in our state,” Kulhman said. “And any disruption – whether from mining, oil and gas development, or human development – would definitely jeopardize these wildlife corridors and the outdoor recreation the Ruby currently provides.”

The Ruby Mountain bill would exempt the area from the government’s oil and gas leasing program, which allows anyone to request that public lands be examined for oil, gas or mineral deposits and then auctioned.

The federal government rejected a request by speculators in 2017 to open 50,000 acres in the Ruby Mountains for lease. Justin French, an Elko outdoor enthusiast who hunts and fishes in the Ruby Mountains, said the frivolous requests kept land managers away from more important tasks.

“We didn’t think it was fair to have to deal with someone who gave up some of it, or all of it, again,” French said, “when during the process they said that there wasn’t much for the oil-and-gas reserves there anyway. “

The Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act would expand the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and add protections to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, which provides important habitat for bighorn sheep.

Kuhlman said the southern Nevada bill would stop plans to expand Nellis Air Force Base.

“This would prevent the Air Force from coming, in the future, requesting that these areas be part of a firing range or additional training site,” Kulhman said.

According to the Outdoor Industry AssociationNevada’s outdoor recreation economy generates $ 1.1 billion in state and local tax revenue annually and supports 59,000 local jobs.

Support for this report was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Admission to any state park in Nevada is free this next saturday, as part of the first Nevada Public Lands Week – with a series of online and in-person events showcasing Nevada’s natural heritage.

Events are listed online at ‘NevadaPublicLandsDay.com. ‘

Will Pregman, director of communications for the Institute for a Progressive Nevada, said public lands are the backbone of the outdoor economy, which generates $ 12.5 billion in economic activity each year.

“The outdoor recreation industry supports tens of thousands of jobs,” Pregman said. “So it’s both an economic incentive and an environmental incentive to protect these lands and ensure they are preserved for generations to come.”

On Tuesday night, the topic of an interactive town hall is the need to use US bailout funds on conservation projects, given record heat, raging wildfires and a shortage of water at Lake Mead.

And on Saturday, groups are hosting a garbage drive at Mountain’s Edge Regional Park in Las Vegas.

Governor Steve Sisolak recently signed an executive order to prioritize wildlife corridors, and the legislature passed a resolution supporting the Biden administration’s goal of preserving 30% of the country’s land by 2030.

Pregman said everyday Nevadans play an important role as well.

“These things are precious and will continue to be preserved,” Pregman said, “as long as there are people who know him, understand him and care about him.”

Native American tribes and conservation groups are also pushing for the creation of a national monument at Spirit Mountain outside of Laughlin, known as Avi Kwa Ame.

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PITTSBURGH, PA – The National Association of State Foresters was formed in 1920, with its first meeting in Harrisburg amid an increase in large wildfires across the country. One hundred and one years later, he gathered in Pennsylvania to learn best practices to help tackle forest health issues similar to what they saw a century ago.

Due to the pandemic, last year’s conference has gone virtual. State Foresters just wrapped up their 2021 face-to-face meeting in Pittsburgh with the past 100 years in mind.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the state battled numerous wildfires, reducing the extent of once common tree species. State Forester Ellen Shultzabarger said lessons from the past can help illuminate the future of how we maintain forests.

“So we were talking about healthy forests 100 years ago,” said Shultzabarger. “Forests and these pests and problems don’t just stay within limits, and it is extremely important for us to work with our neighboring states and with our partners to be truly effective in good forest management in the future. “

Forests cover almost 60% of Pennsylvania. The state recently released its annual forestry action plan which assesses forest conditions and long-term sustainability goals.

Connecticut State Forester Chris Martin said collaboration among state foresters is essential to prepare for extreme weather events as they become more frequent.

Martin said foresters in the northeast have learned from those in the south about their Urban Forest Response Teams, which deploy arborists to assess storm-affected trees to help FEMA decide whether damaged trees should be withdrawn or recover on their own.

“It’s a huge financial benefit for FEMA,” Martin said. “Because when you cut down a tree, it’s a lot more expensive than if you have to remove a few branches and make it safe and let the tree react healthily. It’s something that has worked in the southern states for several years, one of my take out that I want to see happen in the Northeast. “

Among the policy decisions taken at the conference was the approval of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, to protect forests from threatening invasive species.

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JACKSON, Wyo. – A report released today focuses on data-driven efforts to conserve big game migration in wyoming Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Athletes’ organizations hope the results can help guide decision-making as the US Forest Service prepares to revise its 31-year-old management plan.

Bridger-Teton’s 3.4 million acres of Crown land play an important role in the seasonal migration of species such as elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep and more.

Joy Bannon, Field and Policy Director for the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, said GPS technology has made it easier to track animal migration patterns and make suggestions on habitat conservation improvements. .

“Is there a fence, for example, that isn’t wildlife-friendly, that we can make wildlife-friendly?” Bannon offered. “Timber harvesting is used as a benefit and some breaks for these animals as well. There are a lot of interesting elements in this assessment that will help not only land users but also land managers to put this management on the map. ground.”

Bridger-Teton, located in northwestern Wyoming, is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem of the lower 48 states. The Forest Service recently announced that the management plan review process will begin in fiscal year 2023.

Another solution proposed in the report is to create time restrictions for vehicles to avoid disturbing migratory wildlife.

Nick Dobric, Wyoming field manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said migration is key to keeping wildlife abundant, especially to find food along their route.

“If a species is able to migrate, it can take advantage of these different habitats in summer and winter, and during those transitional periods in fall and spring,” Dobric explained. “Science has shown that if one herd migrates, it will have more numbers than another and, in general, it will do better overall.”

The report also suggests that some prescribed burns could be useful for improving forage production, as well as for concentrating recreational activities during periods of migration.

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